Needed to build an oven to p.c. two long parts.
One that is 3/8" x5 x 36-48", aluminum
And the other is 1.5x3 .125" channel aluminum that is 36"
Currently use two $80 convention ovens I bought at Blain's Farm and Fleet for the parts we pc here at my factory. They work great, heat up fast, and can do 6-7 small parts in 30 minutes. They get used daily.
So decided to build my own oven---they're expensive to buy and I wanted to use 120VAC.
Built a 'box' that is 20x20x54 ID. Then thought about going with propane heater, then electrical, then thought about buying two more of the ovens and gutting them. Because I use McMaster.com for a variety of parts, I saw a couple things that I thought might work:
a 200-550 deg controller, $180, a 1900 watt heating element, 120 VAC, for $56, and hi temp oven wire for $1.50 a foot.
Bought them and some high temperature insulation, 24x96", three of them for $14 each, backed that up with some 3" un-backed insulation from Menards.
All told, with metal studs, galvanized metal, bolts, screws, caulk, and rivets, have about $450 in it.
Before I took the trouble of mounting the door, I fired it up this evening to try it out. PCed two small parts in 45 minutes. Got REALLY hot inside, and the outside only got hot because I have not caulked the gaps in the oven wall sections yet; wanted to try it before I sank too much time in.
I used a cinch-strap to secure the door---which isn't done yet, as it has a bit of extra metal to trim off.
Considering the success with it, won't waste the time/effort/money on door hardware, just tighten it with the strap.
Attached are the photos....
